New Technology Centre for Birr

"One of the finest technology buildings in the country" - Tánaiste

"Birr reconnects to its scientific past"

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment Mary Harney T.D. today officially opened Birr Technology Centre, a 21,000 sq. ft. (1,950 sq. m.) fully-serviced technology building developed on the site of a derelict mill on the banks of the River Camcor, in the heart of Birr, Co. Offaly.

The new centre, involving an investment of €3.8 million in a public-private partnership, is one of five technology locations in the Shannon Development Knowledge Network.

Speaking at the launch, the Tánaiste said: "The rapid growth in technologies is altering the kind of jobs being created in our society and the type of facilities which influence industrialists, particularly foreign investors, when they come to make an investment decision in Ireland. Birr Technology Centre is one of the finest technology buildings I have seen in the country. It provides an entirely new environment for high-tech, knowledge-based businesses locating in this town steeped in scientific history. It is a credit to the developers, and to Shannon Development who, over the past five years, has invested over €25 million in developing a network of outstanding technology locations throughout the Shannon Region."

Birr Technology Centre is housed in an attractive redeveloped mill building, which dates back to the 1600s when it was a water-powered grain mill. It also served as the Birr Manor Sawmills transforming timber from the woodlands of the estate into hardwood and softwood. The building fell into disrepair and was purchased as a ruin by Shannon Development in the 1980s. Work on its transformation into a modern technology centre commenced in September 2001.

The new building has been built on the footprint of the existing structure. Substantial portions of the original facade have been skilfully integrated with new materials to bring about a unique development which, while essentially modern, is entirely in keeping with the elegant streetscapes of one of Ireland's finest Heritage Towns.

The Tánaiste said: "The focus of Birr Technology Centre is to nurture and grow new industry in sectors such as software, multi-media and e-commerce. A third of the space (7,000 sq. ft./650 sq. m.) within the building is known as `InnovationWorks', the name of all incubation facilities within the Shannon Development Knowledge Network. InnovationWorks comprises a suite of `smart offices' designed to accommodate the specific needs of new knowledge-based enterprise.

"Birr Technology Centre grew out of a strategic approach by Shannon Development to counter the backdrop of economic decline in the traditional sectors of agriculture, peat production and electricity generation in the Birr area. The future economic success of South Offaly will depend heavily on the area's ability to attract and grow business in the `new economy' based on knowledge, innovation and global competitiveness.

"The ruins of an old mill on the banks of the River Camcor may seem an unlikely place to embark on these new challenges. Yet, in the mid 19^th century, Birr was a global centre for technology attracting world renowned scientists such as Charles Babbage, the grandfather of the modern computer, to visit. A century and a half later, Birr Technology Centre is enabling Birr reconnect itself with its scientific past," added the Tánaiste.

Shannon Development's chairman, Mr. Liam Mc Elligott said: "Shannon Development's business is regional economic development. This requires us to work individually and with partners to develop all parts of the Shannon Region to their full potential. By developing a network of technology locations in key towns in the region, we are providing the resources and environment in which ideas and knowledge-driven enterprises can be created, developed and succeed. Creating a building of the calibre of Birr Technology Centre was a real challenge as it necessitated working from the shell of the original building, retaining its features, and yet transforming it into a modern technology environment. The conservation challenge has been met. We now have a facility in Birr which is of the highest quality, with state-of-the-art office and telecoms facilities."